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Mark Webber has openly blamed Heikki Kovalainen for the high speed crash in Sunday afternoon’s European Grand Prix at the Valencia circuit in Spain, the Aussie claiming that the Lotus racer slowed just before the Red Bull slammed into the back of it which sent Webber flying into the air, flipping, hitting the track before careening into the tyre wall at high speed.
Commentators also blamed the Lotus driver for ‘attempting to race’ the Red Bull after Heikki admitted he was defending his position, something he had every right to do. Others see it differently to this, claiming that because he was three seconds a lap off the pace, then he should have just moved over and let the Red Bull through, rather than allow Webber to make the pass on his own merits, as other drivers coming through the field have had to do.
Webber also stated that Kovalainen braked 80 metres earlier than expected, hence his car running into the back of the Lotus, however Lotus’ Mike Gascoyne believes that it was up to Webber to make the overtaking manoeuvre safely, and he didn’t.
"Obviously neither driver wanted it to happen, but from our point of view Heikki was driving in a straight line, defending his position and then someone hits him from behind," he told the PA. "Mark's charged up behind Heikki, he's got the quicker car and Heikki has to brake where he brakes because of the (tyre) grip he has. It's up to the guy overtaking to do so safely, and he didn't. Mark's now had two accidents in three races and it's never been his fault." |
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